Gwinnett Daily Post

A ref walks from the goal post after Central Gwinnett missed an extra point in their game against Mountain View on Friday night. Fans packed stadiums across the county, including Central's, as the first official week of football kicked off.

LAWRENCEVILLE -- In between flipping burgers and hot dogs Friday, John McGee paused to contemplate what high school football means to him. The answer turned out to be simple for the Central Gwinnett grill master.

"Everything," he said with a chuckle. "Football season, that's what it's all about."

McGee's Black Knights took on visiting Mountain View as he watched from the concession stand, one of 13 games officially introducing Gwinnett County to another season of high school football. Even with several local teams competing in last weeks' Corky Kell Classic at the Georgia Dome, Friday felt like the real start to a brand new campaign.

"It's just great being out here, the atmosphere," McGee said. "It just puts people in a good perspective, and releases them from all the other bad stuff going on around us."

Added concession compatriot Darrell Dilks: "It's great having friends come by and say hi to ya."

All around the county, students painted themselves in school colors, old-timers returned to old stomping grounds and young footballers imitated their high school counterparts -- football was back.

"There's nothing like high school football," McGee said.

For complete coverage of all the games on Friday night, visit our new Gwinnett Prep Sports website at www.gwinnettprepsports.com.

Share your photos with the community. Post your Friday Night Football photos to our website at: http://spotted.gwinnettdailypost.com.